Hyundai Genesis vs Honda Accord

[Sal Collaziano]

Please use this discussion to state the advantages and disadvantages between the Hyundai Genesis and Honda Accord.

Since the Honda Accord is now considered a "full-size" car (just bearly) - I think it can be compared to the Hyundai Genesis.. I mean, not "really"! It's not nearly as luxurious of powerful as the Hyundai Genesis - but what, if anything, gives the Genesis a good run for it's money?

(I'm expecting lots of crickets here...)

 

[Wilbur_the_goose]

Well - the Accord does have a 6-speed manual available.

 

[Sal Collaziano]

Well - the Accord does have a 6-speed manual available.

Thank you.. Is that the only advantage? And does it come in the sedan? Or just the coupe?

 

[cabz]

To me, the main advantage that the Accord has on the Genesis is simple - price.

Actually, I think it's a bit of a silly comparison. I'm in the market for a new car, and I haven't even bothered to consider the two against each other directly, as competitors, but I have compared the Accord/Camry/Sonata. I've also taken a test drive in the Genesis. My decision will come down to simple economics - do I want to spend another 10-15k (on a depreciable asset) to move up to the luxury range (which the other 3 are clearly not in) or not?

It would be an easy decision if I drove more, but at about 6,000 miles per year it's a tough call.

 

[Wilbur_the_goose]

6K per year? Wow - just buy an off-lease car, which is the smartest move for anybody, from a purely economic standpoint.

 

[Michael_S]

For the 2008+ Honda Accord, V6 engine on the sedan is only available with the automatic transmission. The V6 engine on the coupe is available with the automatic or the 6 speed manual. ( The 2005-2007 Accord sedan V6 was available with the manual or automatic. )

In the Accord's favor:
- Honda models hold value exceptionally well.
- The Accord V6 automatic has 271 horsepower and mileage rating 19/29. Track tested speed is about 7 seconds 0-60 mph, notably slower than the Genesis V6 but still pretty fast.
- The Accord crash ratings are 5/5/5/3 (disappointing) and Good/Good/Good from the IIHS.
- Front wheel drive is better in snow.

The Genesis V6 is larger, faster, almost as fuel efficient, has a larger trunk, has a better warranty, and is quieter.

6K per year? Wow - just buy an off-lease car, which is the smartest move for anybody, from a purely economic standpoint.

Yes. It makes the most sense to buy used unless a new model has some technological feature you think is crucial.

I'm a big fanatic about vehicle safety. Our last purchase was a new minivan, and I wanted new for crash ratings, side curtain airbags, and electronic stability control.

But there are several vehicles from 2004 and 2005 that have superb crash ratings, side curtain airbags, and stability control. So unless some really effective new safety feature comes out in the next few years, I'm planning to buy used next time out.

 

[musher51]

Front wheel drive is better in snow.

I don't want to start a big FWD vs RWD battle here, but I can't let that statement go unchallenged. There are pros and cons to both drive systems insofar as winter handling. I have extensive experience driving vehicles in winter weather, and for my part, I prefer RWD over FWD, as long as I have the right tires, neutral weight distribution, and a good ESC chip backing me up (I miss my clutch, too, but it's less critical than the other "tools").

Detroit did a great job of selling this country on the benefits of FWD as they converted nearly all their designs to that platform in the 70s/80s -- and better winter handling was a key part of the sell job -- but for my money, a well-designed RWD car is vastly superior in the summer, and by no means inferior in the winter.

 

[John M]

cabz -

Don't overlook the Azera. It's a more direct competitor to the other vehicles you drove. In this area there's a $2500 cash back on 08 Azeras which means you could drive out in a fully loaded version for around $25k + tax. It's got power, room, and all the other features you're looking for, along with the 10 year warranty.

Test drive an Azera - make sure it's a Limited with all the options. You may be surprised how much car you can get for that kind of price.

 

[Michael_S]

I don't want to start a big FWD vs RWD battle here, but I can't let that statement go unchallenged. There are pros and cons to both drive systems insofar as winter handling. I have extensive experience driving vehicles in winter weather, and for my part, I prefer RWD over FWD, as long as I have the right tires, neutral weight distribution, and a good ESC chip backing me up (I miss my clutch, too, but it's less critical than the other "tools").

Most of my RWD experience is with two Ford Econolines, a GMC Safari (same van as a Chevy Astro), and an old Cadillac, all driven in a very hilly section of Pennsylvania.

All season tires, the majority of the vehicle weight over the front wheels, no ESC or traction control. In snowy weather, all four vehicles were completely and utterly useless. If you got stuck far from home, you left the car and found someone with front wheel drive or four wheel drive to bring you to the house.

And I would bet that with snow tires and ESC, a FWD car is still easier to drive in the snow than RWD.

 

[Wilbur_the_goose]

I have a FWD (Honda Civic) and RWD (BMW 325i) right now. The RWD is just as good as FWD if you have good tires and a good ESC system.

Keep in mind that these are two fairly small cars, nothing like Michael's Econoline or Safari.

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[dc-it]

Hi everyone,
I've just registered but have been frequenting this great Genesis Forum to read up on the Gen and learn from the lucky owners here.

I bought the '08 Accord last Dec and have recently test driven a Gen V6 at a Toronto Hyundai dealer.

I must say I am very impressed with the Gen and I would have gone with the Gen if it was available in 2008 Dec.

My Accord is the EX-L/V6 with Navi so it is the top end model with leather interior and BT phone + voice command Navigation. In that respect my Accord can be compared with the V6 Gen features for features.

I have to say the Gen is indeed a more luxurious vehicle than the Accord. It is definitely quieter and the Lexicon audio rocks. But here in Toronto the MSRP for the fully loaded Accord is still slightly lower then the base Gen V6 without Tech package.

Also could some Gen owners attest to it's costs of servicing?
For my Accord the oil change intervals is governed by an onboard computer which will indicate with a warning light in the instrument panel when it's time for an oil change. In mine it was around 12,000 KM before the first oil change and I have driven it for 0ver 24,000 KM in the first year and it's still showing 15% oil life so for the first year I must say the Accord cost nothing in scheduled maintenance as my dealer gave a complimentary initial oil change.

I guess I'll have to wait for another year before I can consider trading in the Accord.

Meanwhile I note on this forum that the Gen has some issues with the rear suspension. Is that a common problem or only affects a few?
I guess by the time I am ready to change cars any bugs will have been fixed.

What is the real average fuel consumption of the Genesis V6 & V8?
On my Accord I am averaging 10L/100 KM or 23.5 MPG.

Thanks for providing this very informative site.
Hope I am not intruding since I am not yet a Genesis owner.

Cheers & Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all.

 

[DeMAN]

To me, the main advantage that the Accord has on the Genesis is simple - price.

Actually, I think it's a bit of a silly comparison. I'm in the market for a new car, and I haven't even bothered to consider the two against each other directly, as competitors, but I have compared the Accord/Camry/Sonata. I've also taken a test drive in the Genesis. My decision will come down to simple economics - do I want to spend another 10-15k (on a depreciable asset) to move up to the luxury range (which the other 3 are clearly not in) or not?

It would be an easy decision if I drove more, but at about 6,000 miles per year it's a tough call.

The smart move is to drive a beater, and rent a car when needed.

I have a beater (95 Saturn) which a drive 450 miles per week. It cost about 40 dollars to operate this year if you don't count oil changes which you have to do to any car vs. 4800 a year for a lease.

My daughter rented a car 4 times this year (week at a time) or about $1500. $3300 dollar saving over a lease

 

[Mark_888]

I actually considered the Accord EX-L V6 but wound up in a base level Genesis. The main consideration for me was headroom and the Accord has the most headroom of any of the well-equipped cars I looked at. The problem is that almost all well-equipped cars come with a moon/sun roof which cuts headroom considerably. But since the base level Genesis comes without a moon roof, that was the deciding factor for me. If I could have got a Sonata Limited V6 without a moon-roof, I would have considered it.

Overall, the Accord has more road noise compared to the Genesis (which they could fix rather easily if they wanted to--but I suspect they fear it would probably cannibalize Acura TL sales). The Acura TL is just too hideous looking for me, and has poor visibility out the rear and blind spots.

The Accord handling is more nimble than the Genesis, despite the Honda FWD torque-steer, but the Genesis is obviously a more luxurious ride.

Then there is the price difference. But for me it actually came down to a choice between the Genesis and Accord, and the Hyundai warranty was a big factor me (only 3-year/36 month bumper to bumper for Honda).

 

[ConceptVBS]

I'm almost certain the Genesis will outperform the Accord in the crash test department by a wide margin. About 75% of the skeletal body structure of the Genesis is made from high strength steel. On mainstream cars, its more like 40-50%.

Hyundai Genesis Body-on-white view


high-strength steel (56.7%), shown in green, and ultra-high-strength steel (18.3%), shown in orange/red

For full article: http://genesisowners.com/hyundai-genesis-forum/showthread.php?t=976

 

[Michael_S]

The Accord has a perfect score in every crash test except 3 stars in one of the side impact ratings from the US government.

The IIHS crash tests are much harder than the US government tests, and the Accord aced those. http://www.iihs.org/ratings/default.aspx

The Genesis hasn't been tested yet. Hopefully it aces, but it would be the first Hyundai sedan that does.

 

[Shep]

I just bought our 09 Genesis - V6 and it was between the Accord and the Genesis.

We have owned Accords for the past 3 cars - but was looking for a change. When we tallied up the total for an 09 dressed to the nines - we were getting lose to the 30 grand mark - because we always took out the 100,000 mile extended warranty.

When we drove the Accord - I must say it was nice......however we really noticed the road noise after driving the Genesis. If I remember right - the "loaded" Accord still didn't have bluetooth and that was a must that I wanted for my wife.

Even the stock Genesis felt classier than the Accord and I love the USB interface. I have a portable HD loaded with my wife's favorite music and she is a happy camper.

The Accord has a lot of leg-room in the back - but the Genesis had even more. The accord DID NOT have rear AC - the Genesis does. After riding in a friend's Camry's back seat this summer in Phoenix - rear AC controls became a must.

BTW - I got out of my dealer with just a little over 31,000. I thought the differences in the 2 cars more than made up the cost differential.

Shep

 

[ajls09873]

comparing with accord is nonsense.
And, I think Hyundai Sonata is better than accord.

 

[TJPark01]

comparing with accord is nonsense.
And, I think Hyundai Sonata is better than accord.

I don't think it's nonsense. A fully loaded Accord V6 is a very nice car, and similar to price of a base Gen V6, it's basically everything the family car should be. Plus it has a proven track record of 30 years and 8 generations or motoring. There in lies the beauty and the problem. The car is so ubiquitous that you should be eating a cheese sandwich on wonder bread while driving it. Some people could care less about cars, they just want to get from point A to B, with no drama. The Accord is for you.
The Genesis, is simply the nicer car. Bigger, faster, better looking, interior, wheels, the list goes on and on. For anyone who really cares about cars, you would have a hard time convincing them of the advantages of FWD. I came very close to buying the Accord V6 coupe, which is a really nice car, but held out. Then I drove the V8 Genesis. The car is an absolute monster, it's nice when it wants to be, but it can be downright scary fast. SOLD!

 

[Michael_S]

comparing with accord is nonsense.
And, I think Hyundai Sonata is better than accord.

I think it depends upon whether you are a driving enthusiast. The Accord is consistently considered one of the most fun to drive front wheel drive family sedans. The current Sonata has a cleaner exterior look and a quieter and nicer cabin, but most reviewers criticize its driving experience.

To my knowledge, the Genesis sedan and Genesis coupe are the first Hyundai vehicles to receive lots of praise for their driving characteristics.

Maybe the 2011 Sonata will join them and match or beat the Accord.